Arizona Speeding Ticket Laws

Speeding Tickets in Arizona

Absolute Speed Limits in Arizona

In Arizona the speeding law is divided into two categories, civil speeding violation and criminal Speeding. Civil speeding is speeding is going over the speed limit anywhere from 1-19 miles over the absolute speed limit. In Arizona the absolute or maximum speed limit is divided in specific categories based on the location. For a vehicle driving on the highway or the interstate the absolute speed limit is 65 miles per hour (mph). In other areas, such as a residential or business district the absolute speed limit is 25mph; in a school zone or when approaching a school crossing the speed limit is 15 mph. The absolute speed limit is generally the speed limit that is posted on the signs on the road. Going over the speed limit is a strict liability crime, meaning that regardless of the intention a driver may have, whether he indented to speed or not, he is strictly liable for going over the posted speed limit; even if it just a few miles above the speed limit. Going over the absolute speed limit is generally punishable by a fine and if found guilty, can add 3 points to your drivers license. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-701.

Arizona also has a distinct classification for excessive speeds within the specific areas mentioned like the school crossings, residential and business districts and all other locations, such as the highway or interstate. This excessive speed falls within the criminal speeding category. These excessive speed classification states that if a person cannot exceed over 35 mph approaching a school crossing. That a person cannot exceed the posted speed limit in a business or residential area by more than 25 mph, and if a sign is not posted within the area, cannot exceed 45 mph. Lastly, a person cannot exceed speeds of 85 mph in all other areas, such as the highways and interstate. These excessive speed limits are different from the absolute speed limits because the punishment is more severe. A person that is in violation of excessive speeds above is guilty of a third class misdemeanor and not a civil complaint for the violation.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-701.02.

Presumed Speed Limits in Arizona

In addition, the State of Arizona also has the presumed speed limits. The presumed speed limits state that A person shall not drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent speed under the conditions and actual and potential hazards then existing. This means that a driver of a vehicle should drive at a reasonable speed according to the conditions and circumstances given at the time and should not exceed speeds that what is considered reasonable by a ordinary citizen of the state. These reasonable speeds are generally considered to be the speed limits posted on the signs and a reasonable person should drive within those speed limits. However, given the circumstances a driver may still be in violation of speeding if the circumstances or conditions of the road, weather may be hazardous or dangerous.

Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-701.

If a vehicle is going at a speed that is not reasonable and prudent, but rather too slow, below the minimum speed limit, drivers have the right to bypass that vehicle if it is safe and reasonable to do so. However, if that vehicle is going so slow that a group of cars are lined up behind him, 5 or more cars and is effecting the reasonable flow of traffic, that vehicle has to pull over to the side of the road and let the other cars pass. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-723-26.

In all, the State of Arizona has established a set amount of speed limitations for specific areas, Generally, the speed that is expected is speed that shall not exceed greater than what is reasonable and prudent. The state statute says that  A person shall control the speed of a vehicle as necessary to avoid colliding with any object, person, vehicle or other conveyance on, entering or adjacent to the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to exercise reasonable care for the protection of others. The absolute speed limit in Arizona for the highways and all other areas not mentioned specifically is 65 miles per hour, 15 miles per hour approaching a school crossing, 25 miles per hour in a business or residential district. However, the speed limit is simply understood to be what is reasonable and prudent at the time according to the circumstances. If a driver is going above the speed limit, regardless of his intent to do so, he can be issued a summons. If a driver is excessively speeding, he can be found guilty of class 3 misdemeanor. Also, there is no difference for speed limits between commercial veicahles and private vehicles.

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